Former Raiders player may be frontrunner to become Broncos offensive coordinator

Nov 18, 2007; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Ronald Curry (89) celebrates after a 49-yard reception in the second quarter against Darren Sharper (42) and Antoine Winfield (26) of the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Raiders, 29-22. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2007; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Ronald Curry (89) celebrates after a 49-yard reception in the second quarter against Darren Sharper (42) and Antoine Winfield (26) of the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Raiders, 29-22. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

The Broncos have a new head coach in place and the team and its fans are patiently waiting to see how Sean Payton will fill out his coaching staff.

Several names have been floated around as being connected to possible openings in Denver and it seems unlikely that Payton will keep many — if any — coaches from Nathaniel Hackett’s staff.

Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero has already accepted a new job with the Carolina Panthers and it seems rather unlikely that offensive coordinator Justin Outten will be back.

Many of the coaching names out there that are being connected to the Broncos are guys that were with Payton in New Orleans. Former Saints player Zach Strief is expected to become the Broncos’ new offensive line coach.

Though Payton will likely be the man calling the plays in Denver, there will be interest in who will become the team’s new offensive coordinator. One name that has been discussed is Joe Lombardi, who worked 12 seasons with Payton in New Orleans.

But now, a new name to enter into the mix is former NFL wide receiver Ronald Curry, who has been coaching since 2014. Curry was an offensive assistant for two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before joining Payton in New Orleans and he has been there ever since, serving as the team’s quarterbacks coach for the last two seasons.

The Broncos plan to interview Curry for the offensive coordinator spot.

That name may ring a bell to Broncos fans as Curry spent seven seasons with the Oakland Raiders. He has a very decorated background from his playing career, dating back to high school.

In 1997, Curry was voted as the national high school scholar-athlete of the year across the entire nation. He went to Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina where he played on both the football and basketball teams where he was a teammate of another two-sport star, Julius Peppers.

Curry was a quarterback for the Tar Heels but was converted to wide receiver once he reached the next level.

Denver Broncos, Ronald Curry
13 Jan 2001: Ronald Curry #22 of the North Carolina Tar Heels listens to teammate Julius Peppers #45 during the game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels defeated the Golden Eagles 84-54.Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones /Allsport

Curry would not go onto the NBA and instead decided to shift his focus to football only. He was a seventh-round pick of the Raiders in 2002 but he developed into a solid contributor over the years.

He had three seasons in which he caught at least 50 passes and finished his career with 193 receptions, 2,347 yards and 13 touchdowns.

As a trusted assistant on Payton’s staff for six seasons before the head coach’s resignation, Curry could be the favorite to get this job.

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